Alexander Backs New Source of Funding for National Parks

U.S. Senator Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.) today announced he will cosponsor bipartisan legislation to create a new source of funding for the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and other national parks across the country as part of the “Centennial Challenge” celebrating the 100th anniversary of the National Park System in 2016.

“The Centennial Challenge could bring up to $4 million to the Smokies – the country’s most visited national park – and will go a long way toward improving park facilities, aiding conservation efforts, and helping build upon the excellent visitor services already offered. This 4th of July, I can’t think of a better way to celebrate our country’s birthday than backing legislation that will aid efforts to preserve and celebrate our national parks, one of America’s greatest treasures.”

EPA's Pollution Plan Slammed

City officials and business leaders here Wednesday warned that a federal proposal to relax air quality standards for the nation's national parks will ultimately be bad for business.

Simply put, they said during a news conference at the entrance to Zion National Park, lower air standards being proposed by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency will hurt this gateway city economically if fewer tourists visit the park.

"Air pollution could damage the stars, vistas and clean air we enjoy," Springdale Mayor Pat Cluff said. "Some places deserve to be preserved and it is my responsibility to preserve [the park] for those who come here."

Dinosaur Fossils In Utah Inspire 'Jr. Paleontologists'

Millions of years ago, northeastern Utah was a hot spot for dinosaurs. Today, people travel to the Dinosaur National Monument located on the borders of Colorado and Utah to see the leftover dinosaur bones. Visitors can see as many as 1,500 Jurassic-era fossils exposed on the cliff face of the Douglass Quarry.

A Paiute Take On Bryce Canyon's Hoodoos

The red spindly rock formations that make up the views at Bryce Canyon National Park are called hoodoos. Geologists say they were formed by erosion, but Kevin Poe, chief of interpretation at Bryce, shares his take on the Paiute legend about hoodoos.

Can The Everglades Be Saved?

Environmentalists have been issuing dire warnings about the deterioration of the Florida Everglades for years, saying these wetlands have to be restored in order to revive fragile ecosystems and increase scarce fresh water supplies. Over half of the Everglades are gone, irreversibly converted to urban or agricultural development.

But this week, in an attempt to save what's left, the state of Florida announced a plan to buy nearly 200,000 acres of former wetlands from a sugar cane producer. Advocates say the plan is the largest restoration project in American history.

Tale Of Lost Love Haunts White Sands

When the wind blows at White Sands National Monument, legend has it that the centuries-old ghost of a Mexican maiden can be seen in the shifting sands. It is said that the maiden is still searching for her betrothed, whose body was never found.

Cast Of Thousands Keeps Grand Canyon Humming

Grand Canyon National Park may be one of the planet's Seven Natural Wonders, but few realize how many people it takes to keep the 4.4 million annual park visitors safe, fed and happy.

For Casey Murph, who manages mule operations on the south rim of the Grand Canyon, the day starts well before sunrise. Beginning at about 4:30 each morning, he goes over the day's schedule, sets out buckets of oats for the mules and opens up the tack rooms in a huge, surprisingly clean 101-year-old barn.